The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1887-08-03

few miles arc SO accustomed to the
thing that they never mind it or men
tlon IL. consequently, very few people
outside OF the immediate vicinity, and
the physicians who have attended thcm,
arc cognlZant of the circumstances.
Peoplo passing tho house, especially in
! tho summer time, have been filled with
curiosity by what they saw and heard
and havo carried accounts to distant
places. These reports are very vague,
for tho passers-by havc had no dciinito
idea of the matter. They only know
that it looked remarkably strange to sec
u father and his sons out in the field
plowing and sowing many rods apart,
yet each ono laughing as though be had
heard the best joke in the world Curl
Gus stories are told Of the travellers who
went that way. Several yolrs ago two
young men came from tho interior OF
the State to attend n party at IInston,
Pennsylvania.
1t was warm night and they did not
start until late. They drove past the
house of the laughing family soon alter
the regular nightly attack had begun.
The windows were all open, G8 it was
carly summer, and every sound could be
clearly heard. AS the young men ap-
preached thoy heard the most uncarthty
noise their ears had ever received. 1t
seemed like pandomoniugl, and the
youths felt sure they had struck the Gu
franco to ShCol.
The horse took fright and nearly ran
away with them. Coming to tho con
clusion that at least the place was haunt
cd, they hurried home and tho ncxt
morning spread the news. Parties were
formed to investigate the matter, but
mono OF them solved the subject until
informed by man in the village near
at hand as to the nature of the case.
They were urged to remain rcticcnt
about the matter, and have done SO.
PHYSICAL EFFECTS.
The years of incessant laughter have
told somewhat on the faces of the fami-
ly, but not so as to be very noticeable.
There are scores Of lines under the eyes
and above tho checks, caused by the
drawing up of the skin. Then their
mouths have become wider and they
keep them closed with difficulty. The
most marked result Of the disease, how
ever, is in the voice. The entire family
talk i'll the same tone, resembling as
nearly as any thing the voice OF thcalto
singer. Males and females have the
same infection and lntonntlOn Most OF
them have more or less trouble with
their eyes, sovcra! having become very
near sighted The pupils have con
tractcd, and the entire cycbali is dimin-
ishcd i'll size. This is accounted for by
the contraction OF the eyes while lough-
ing, and the effort required in working
or reading while undergoing al attack.
Very little physical annoyance is caused
the laughers. They read and write,
sleep and work without any trouble.
The only thing thcy seem unable 10 do,
while attacked, is to eat, and that can be
readily understood. Several grand
children have been born, and in all hnt
ono instance, they were taken, soon after
birth, with stated attacks at the same
hours nc .hcir parents. OF course they
do not laugh as the older ones do, but
they crow and express all tho signs Of
baby glco twice n day, and never cry
while in that state. ii the disease con
tinuc in the new generation, the laugh
ing family may ultimately become Il
laughing village.